"The Starter" recaps the week gone by in golf. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. This week, Elliott looks at Ludvig Aberg’s much anticipated second PGA TOUR victory. Shares why this is a sign of things to come for the Swed.
PGA TOUR Recap: Aberg's Genesis Triumph at Torrey
Ludvig Aberg secured his second PGA TOUR victory yesterday at the Genesis Invitational and did so in spectacular fashion (more on that in a bit). This win was a milestone for Aberg as it legitimatized his first win back in 2023 at the RSM Classic and marked the beginning of what promises to be a long and successful career filled with many more victories. At just 25 years old, the young Swedish talent continues to impress both fans and critics alike with his skill and determination on the course. This latest win was something that many saw coming as he has been a fixture on leaderboards since bursting on the scene just two short seasons ago.
In that first full season in 2022-2023, the Swed made 13 starts, missing only one cut and finishing with one win, one runner-up, a tie for third, and another for fourth. All in all, he had nine top-25s in those 13 starts. In 2024, he kicked things up a notch, carding 14 top 25s in 20 starts, which included eight top 10s, three of which were runner-up finishes. By the way, those runner-ups were at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, The Masters, and the BMW Championship, not too shabby for a sophomore season.
Aberg's win at the Genesis doesn't showcase his potential, as the golf world already knew this kid was good, but it hints more at him being a player who will likely have numerous major championship victories in the years ahead.
Final Round Recap
As the field took on Torrey midway through the final round, Scottie Scheffler and Maverick McNealy looked like they would be the two battling it out for the win coming to the clubhouse. Scheffler, who struggled mightily on Saturday with an un-Scottoe-like 4-over par 76, was 10 shots better on Sunday with a 66. Scottie's front nine 31 included five birdies, highlighted by his chip-in on the fifth. That 5-under front side got Scheffler to within one shot of the lead. On a day when scoring was much better than the previous three rounds, Scottie would need to keep up that momentum going on the back nine to squeeze out a win. Unfortunately, his three birdies coming in were offset by bogies at the 11th and 16th, leaving Scheffler tied for third with Patrick Rodgers at day's end.
Much like Scheffler, McNealy started hot, making birdies on five straight holes, from the second to the sixth, and added another at the ninth, shooting a remarkable 6-under par 30 going out. He continued his hot play as he started his back nine, making back-to-back birdies at 10 and 11 and adding another on 13. Despite a bogey at 14, McNealy held a three-shot lead while waiting to tee off at the 17th. A par-par finish and a tournament-best 8-under par round of 64 was remarkable; however, with Maverick finishing his tournament a handful of holes ahead of the leaders at the start of the day, it proved too little, too late.
With Aberg three shots behind McNealy and holes running out in his final round, it was clear that a back nine rally was needed. A 6-foot slider to save par at the 12th seemed to be the catalyst to that much needed run. After reaching the nearly 600-yard par five 13th in two, Aberg would two-putt from 50 feet for birdie. A tricky back right pin on the 14th was stuffed to five feet, leading to his second straight birdie. He would add another on the 15th after rolling in a 25-footer, vaulting him into a tie for the lead with McNealy.
After pars on the 16th and 17th, Aberg faced the par five 18th with only one objective: to make a birdie or better and secure his second PGA TOUR win. After a confident 317-yard drive found the middle of the fairway, Aberg chose a 7-wood from 243 yards out. His approach would end up long, leaving him roughly 70 feet away for eagle. After his first putt left him with just inside seven feet for the win, and very calm Ludvig Aberg holed the putt and captured the title by one of McNealy.
Aberg said after the victory: “It was a great fight; I’m really proud of the way I finished. It was really cool.”
Indeed it was cool, Ludvig, indeed it was.
The Test That Was Torrey
Torrey Pines, known for its demanding layout, tested players throughout the week. A steady, moderate rain fell Wednesday through Friday, making the already lush conditions even more so. Torrey Pines, with its narrow fairways and challenging greens, is a layout that requires excellent ball striking, meticulous planning, precise execution, and the ability to adapt on the fly...and that is under perfect conditions, let alone the challenge players saw this week.
For the week, the course indeed showed its teeth; the following was the field scoring average by round:
- Thursday: 74.270
- Friday: 71.820
- Saturday: 72.100
- Sunday: 70.140
- Total: 72.200
With the average for the week being a shade over even par, Aberg's 12-under par 276 was remarkable. With the win, he will bump up to 4th in the Official World Golf Rankings.
On Tap This Week in Golf
TGL
Monday, Feb 17
1:00: Atlanta Drive (1-0-0) vs. Los Angeles Golf Club (2-0-0)
- Atlanta: Justin Thomas - Billy Horschel - Patrick Cantlay
- Los Angeles: Justin Rose - Tommy Fleetwood - Sahith Theegala
4:00: Atlanta Drive (1-0-0) vs. The Bay Golf Club (1-0-0)
- Atlanta: Justin Thomas - Lucas Glover - Patrick Cantlay
- The Bay: Ludvig Aberg - Wyndham Clark - Min Woo Lee
7:00: The Bay Golf Club (1-0-0) vs. Boston Commons Golf (0-1-1)
- The Bay: Ludvig Aberg - Wyndham Clark - Shane Lowry
- Boston: Rory McIlroy - Keegan Bradley - Hideki Matsuyama
ESPN and ESPN+
Tuesday, Feb 18
7:00: Jupiter Links Golf Club (1-1-0) vs. New York Golf Club (0-2-0)
- Jupiter: Tiger Woods - Kevin Kisner - Tom Kim
- New York: Cameron Young - Rickie Fowler - Matt Fitzpatrick
ESPN and ESPN+
PGA TOUR
February 20 - 23
Mexico Open at VidantaWorld
VidantaWorld
Vallarta, Mexico
Golf Channel/NBC/Peacock/ESPN+
DP World Tour
February 20 - 23
Magical Kenya Open
Muthaiga GC
Nairobi, Kenya
Golf Channel
LPGA Tour
February 20 - 23
Honda LPGA Thailand
Siam Country Club, Old Course
Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand
Golf Channel
Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.
Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.
Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.
